Avoid getting scammed by fake "Claim $METIS" websites

What is the fake "Claim $METIS" website?

While investigating deceptive websites, our research team found the "Claim $METIS" scam page. This scheme was discovered on decentralized-worlds.pages[.]dev, but it could be hosted elsewhere. It is a fake airdrop supposedly distributing METIS tokens.

The scam functions as a cryptocurrency drainer – by siphoning funds from exposed digital wallets. It must be emphasized that this scheme is not associated with any existing platforms or other entities.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not review crypto projects, please do your own research when investing money.

Federal Trade Comission (FTC) states that since the start of 2021, more than 46,000 people have reported losing over $1 billion in crypto to scams – that's about one out of every four dollars reported lost, more than any other payment method.

Fake "Claim $METIS" website overview

The scam claims to be distributing METIS – an Ethereum token that is the internal currency of the Metis ecosystem. We discovered "Claim $METIS" promoted on decentralized-worlds.pages[.]dev, yet it could be hosted on other domains as well.

It must be reiterated that this airdrop is fake, and it is in no way associated with Ethereum, Metis, or any other existing platforms and entities.

When a user presses the "Claim $METIS" button on the scam page, it executes a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. Funds are transferred from victims' wallets to those in the scammers' possession through automated transactions. These transfers can be vague and remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time.

Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft. Furthermore, due to the practically untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of such scams experience irreparable financial loss.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Claim $METIS" crypto drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	METIS token airdrop
Related Domains	decentralized-worlds.pages[.]dev
Detection Names	Combo Cleaner (Phishing), Emsisoft (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Trustwave (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	172.66.47.157
Distribution methods	Compromised websites, social media spam, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage	Monetary loss
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

We have investigated countless online scams; "mETH Protocol Signup", "$ETHFI Shared For Karak Users", "Mint StoneAi", "Claim Base Dawgz", and "$MOG Coin" are just some examples of crypto drainers.

Aside from using draining mechanisms, cryptocurrency-centered scams commonly target wallet log-in credentials or trick users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.

Online schemes are often poorly put together and riddled with errors, but they can be well-crafted and even perfectly imitate legitimate sites. Hence, we strongly advise vigilance when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Crypto drainers are commonly endorsed through malvertising, specifically – intrusive pop-up ads. Some of the advertisements can execute cryptocurrency-draining scripts themselves; they lure users into "connecting" digital wallets by promising various benefits.

Another widely used promotional method is social media spam. Posts and PMs/DMs endorsing this content can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real celebrities, influencers, projects, organizations, companies, etc.).

However, other endorsement techniques are not unlikely. Aside from the aforementioned methods, online scams are often pushed via different types of spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), websites using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We highly recommend exercising caution when browsing. Pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Do not trust ads and other online content making promises that sound too good to be true. Do not permit suspicious webpages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny these requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Do not use sites offering pirated content or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as they are typically monetized via rogue advertising networks. Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail.

Download only from official/verified channels and approach installations with care (e.g., read terms, study options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the system.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Appearance of the fake "Claim $METIS" website (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is "Claim $METIS" crypto drainer?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an online scam?

Online scams are basically deceptive messages on the Web that aim to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be deceived into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, sending money to scammers, disclosing sensitive information, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals predominantly profit by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, apps, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing sensitive information, and proliferating malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Claim $METIS" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Claim $METIS" website cannot recover their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

The most common promotional techniques include: sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, SMSes, emails, browser notifications, etc.), intrusive ads, typosquatting, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited webpages for deceptive and malicious content. Should you happen upon such a website – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.

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